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PROCEEDINGS 




NATIONAL CONVENTION 



JOURNEYMEN PRINTERS OF THE UNITED STATES, 



HELD IN NEW YORK, DECEMBER 2, 1850; 



TOGETHER WITH 



AN ADDRESS 



I 




PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE CONVENTION. 




PHILADELPHIA: 

JOURNEYMEN PRINTERS' UNION. 
1851. 



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PROCEEDINGS 



"NATIONAL CONVENTION 



JOURNEYMEN PRINTERS OF THE UNITED STATES, 



HELD IN NEW YORK, DECEMBER 2, 1350; 



TOGETHER WITH 



AN ADDRESS 



PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE CONVENTION. 



r 



PHILADELPHIA: 

JOURNEYMEN PRINTERS' UNION. 

1851. 



TO THE PUBLIC. 

The proceedings of the late National Convention of Journeymen Printers, 
contained in this pamphlet, are published by order of that body. Previous to 
its adjournment it instructed the National Executive Committee to prepare 
them. In the discharge of that duty, the Committee have adopted the greater 
portion of the reports published in the New York Tribune. They have been 
induced to do this because those reports, in addition to being as correct 
as the Secretary's minutes, embody an abstract of the speeches made on some 
of the most interesting subjects which engaged the attention of the Convention. 
This cannot but be regarded as an advantage, inasmuch as it places before the 
reader the views presented, the ideas which prevailed, &c. 

The Committee have taken the liberty to append an "Address to the 
Journeymen Printers of the United States," prepared by order of the 
Convention, and already published in many of the newspapers. 

They would solicit for both a general circulation and perusal. 

On behalf of the Committee, 

M. F. CONWAY, Chairman. 
Baltimore, December 16th t 1850, 



PROCEEDINGS 

OF THE 

NATIONAL CONVENTION OF JOURNEYMEN PRINTERS. 



December 2d, 1850, 7 o'clock, P. M. 

The members of the Convention, comprising delegates from New 
York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Kentucky, assembled 
at Stoneall's Hotel, Fulton street. 

A temporary organization was effected, by calling John F. Keyser, 
of Philadelphia, to the chair, and appointing F. J. Ottarson, of New 
• York, Secretary. 

On motion, a committee, consisting of one from each State, to 
select officers for the permanent organization of the Convention, was 
appointed. They retired for a few minutes, and returned with the 
following report, which was unanimously adopted : 

PRESIDENT, 

JOHN W. PEREGOY, of Maryland. 

VICE PRESIDENTS, 

George E. Greene, of Kentucky: M. C. Brown, of Pennsylvania. 

SECRETARIES, 

F. J. Ottarson, of New York ; John Hartman, of New Jersey. 

A committee of seven was then appointed to prepare and present 
business for the transaction of the Convention. The committee was 
as follows : M. F. Conway, of Baltimore ; John Hartman, of Trenton ; 
G. K. Winne, of Albany; George E. Greene, of Louisville; William 
Molineux and E. H. Rogers, of New York; and R. B. Smyth, of 
Philadelphia. 

The Convention then adjourned until Tuesday afternoon at 3 o'clock, 



6 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL CONVENTION OF 

Tuesday, Dec. 2d, 3 o'clock, P. M. 

The Convention met pursuant to adjournment. The Secretary 
being absent, on motion of Mr. Conway, Mr. Nafew was appointed 
Secretary pro tern. 

The proceedings of the last meeting w T ere read and approved. 

Mr. Conway, from the Committee on Business, made a report in 
part, which was accepted, and the committee granted leave to sit 
again. 

Mr. Keyser read a letter from the Association of Printers in St. 
Louis, expressing their hearty sympathy with the movement, and 
their regret at not having information of the intended Convention in 
time to send Delegates. 

The Convention then proceeded to consider the first proposition 
reported by the Committee on Business, which is as follows : 

Resolved, That a Standing National Executive Committee, of three from each 
State, be appointed to enforce the execution of all resolutions of this Convention, 
bearing upon the different sections here represented ; to gather information on all 
matters of interest to the trade ; to report the same quarterly to the different 
Unions, and to the next Convention when it assembles; to make arrangements 
for the assembling of the next Convention; and also to attend to whatever else 
the Convention may direct, during the interim between the adjournment of this 
and the assembling of the next Convention. 

After some debate, the resolution was adopted. 
The second proposition submitted by the committee was then read, 
as follows : 

Resolved, That this Convention recommend to the Journeymen Printers of every 
city and town in the United States to form themselves into Unions, and to esta- 
blish a connection with each other, for the purpose of securing united action 
upon any and every question involving the interest of the trade, upon the fol- 
lowing basis : 

1st. Regulation and adjustment of the different Scales of Prices, so as not to 
conflict with each other. 

2d. Giving travelling certificates to their members, in good standing, to be 
legal for one year, which shall recommend the holders thereof to assistance and 
travelling expenses from the Union, in any city or town where they cannot 
obtain work; providing said holders have done nothing in the meantime to dis- 
qualify them from the same, of which fact the National Executive Committee 
shall notify the Unions or Societies in other places. 

3d. Keeping a registry of the names of " rats," and other unworthy members 
of the trade, and description of their persons, to be sent to every Union or 
Society in the country, and to be kept by each Union for reference. 



JOURNEYMEN PRINTERS OF THE UNITED STATES. 7 

4th. Receiving no stranger as a member of any Union or Society, who shall 
not produce a legal certificate of membership from the Society or Union of the 
place to which he belongs ; provided a Union or Society existed in such place at 
the time he left. 

5th. Levying a monthly contribution upon each member, sufficiently large to 
enable it to accumulate within two years a sum equivalent, at least, to $15 for 
each member, as a reserve fund, in view of their being compelled to quit work 
in vindication of their rights. 

6th. Establishing the right of any sister Union or Society to call upon them 
for pecuniary assistance, if necessary, to the amonnt of SI. 00 from each member; 
provided that all sums thus loaned shall be repaid in monthly instalments, equi- 
valent to at least five per cent, of the original loan; the first instalment to be 
paid within one month after the difficulty calling for the loan shall have passed 
away. 

7th. Granting certificates from one Union, to enable the members thereof to 
become attached to any other, without paying an entrance fee ; provided the 
holder intends residing permanently within the bounds of the Union into which 
he seeks admission. 

Mr. Conway, of Baltimore, offered the following resolutions, in lieu 
of the first one proposed by the committee : 

Resolved, That on and after the first day of February next, no printer coming 
from any city or town known to contain ten journeymen printers or more ; will 
be allowed to work in any locality embraced within this organization, unless he 
exhibit a certificate of membership from the Society situated in the place from 
which he comes. 

And Resolved, further. That the members of the National Executive Com- 
mittee are specially enjoined to have the above resolution faithfully adhered to, 
and strictly carried into effect. 

Resolved, That the following propositions be recommended to the various 
organizations throughout the country, and earnestly urged upon them for their 
adoption. 

Mr. Conway stated, that the main object of the Convention was 
to extend our organization as far as possible over the country. A 
National Organization was the first thing to be effected through a 
National Convention. Merely to recommend, would have but little 
influence in inducing men to organize themselves. He thought it 
would be better to render it necessary for men in country towns and 
elsewhere to belong to a Society, if we desire or expect them to get 
up organizations. Men desiring to go to points embraced within 
this organization, for work, through the binding force of the first 
resolution which he proposed, would be compelled to interest them- 
selves in instituting societies. 



8 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL CONVENTION OF 

Mr. Smyth, of Philadelphia, thought the resolution offered by 
Mr. Conway, was not practicable. New York city could not observe 
it. The journeymen printers in New York could not say what they 
would do. They had not the pow T er. It would fall a perfect blank 
in New York. 

Mr. Keyser, of Philadelphia, favored the substitute. He spoke at 
some length on the subject. 

Mr. Brown, of Philadelphia, and Mr. Molineux, of New York, also 
spoke in favor of the substitute, and Mr. McDonald and Mr. Glen, of 
New York, against it. 

Mr. Conway suggested that New York might be excepted from 
the operation of the resolution. 

Mr. Greene, of Louisville, offered a substitute for both the resolu- 
tions proposed by the committee and the one offered by Mr. Conway. 

Pending the question on these several propositions, the Convention 
adjourned until Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock. 



Wednesday, Dec. 4th, 9 o'clock, A. M. 

The Convention met again this morning. 

Mr. Frederick Young, a Delegate from Baltimore, appeared, pre- 
sented his credentials, and took his seat. 

Mr. McDonald called the attention of the Convention to an error 
in The Tribune's publication of the proceedings of yesterday, in 
which, in the sixth section of the second proposition of the Com- 
mittee on Business, " $100" is made to take the place of "1." 

Mr. Keyser read an eloquent letter from Francis McNerhany, Esq., 
of Washington. 

The report of the Committee on Business was taken up. The 
question was on the adoption of Mr. Greene's substitute, for the substi- 
tute offered by Mr. Conway for the second resolution of the committee, 
and for the resolution of the committee itself, which reads as follows : 

Resolved, That this Convention strenuously urge the Journeymen Printers 
of every city and town in the United States, (provided there are six or more 
employed in such place,) to form themselves into Unions and establish con- 
nection with each other, for the purpose of securing united action upon every 
question involving the interests of the Trade; and that on and after the first day 
of February, 1851, no Journeyman Printer, coming from any city or town known 
to contain the organization provided for above, will be allowed to work in any 
locality embraced within this organization, unless he exhibit a certificate of 
membership from the Society situated in the place from which he comes. 









JOURNEYMEN PRINTERS OF THE UNITED STATES. 9 

Mr. Conway hoped that the substitute offered.by Mr. Greene might 
not be adopted, because he did not believe it would secure the end 
sought to be accomplished. If it was necessary, he would ask leave 
to alter his resolution, so as to except the city of New York from its 
operation. 

The question being called for on Mr. Greene's proposition, it was 
taken, and decided in the affirmative. 

The first section of the second proposition of the committee was 
then taken up and adopted without debate. 

The second section was taken up, amended at the suggestion of 
Mr. Young, so as to read as follows, and adopted : 

2d. Giving travelling certificates to their members, in good standing, to be 
legal for one year, which shall recommend the holders thereof to assistance and 
travelling expenses from the Union in any city or town where they cannot obtain 
work: provided said holders have done nothing in the the meantime, by a 
course of intemperance or otherwise, to disqualify them from the same, of which 
fact the National Executive Committee shall notify the Unions or Societies in 
other places. ■ 

The third section was adopted. 

The fourth section was also adopted, after being amended, at the 
suggestion of Mr. Young, to read as follows : 

4th. Receiving no gtranger as a member of any Union or Society, who shall 
not produce a legal certificate of membership from the Society or Union of the 
place to which he belongs. 

Mr. Young offered an amendment to the 5th section, to strike out 
the words "$15" and to leave a blank instead. 

Mr. Smyth opposed the amendment. 

Mr. Young then withdrew it by unanimous consent. 

Mr. Keyser moved to amend by striking out " $15 " and inserting 
"10." This was agreed to, and the section, as amended, adopted. 

The 6th and 7th sections were adopted without debate. 

Mr. Nafew offered the following as a preamble to the several sec- 
tions thus adopted: 

Resolved, That this Convention recommend to our brethren throughout the 
country the formation of Unions on the following basis : 

This was agreed to; and the report of the committee then taken 
up, and adopted as a whole. 



10 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL CONVENTION OF 

Mr. Conway offered the following resolution: 

Resolved^ That the principle now in successful operation in Baltimore city, 
limiting the number of apprentices employed in the various printing offices, be 
earnestly recommended to the trade throughout the country. 

Mr. Keyser spoke against it. 

Mr. Winne thought the proposition should be adopted. It was 
working well in Albany ; and he thought it would do great good if 
adopted in every section of the country. 

Mr. Smyth, though favorable to the principle in itself, was opposed 
to its being so openly proclaimed. He thought it would be employed 
to injure the trade. 

Mr. Young concurred in the opinion of Mr. Smyth. 

Mr. Keyser offered the following as a substitute : 

Resolved, That the limiting of the number of apprentices be earnestly recom- 
mended to the different Unions throughout the country, for their adoption. 

Mr. Keyser was favorable to the principle, in itself, but was opposed 
to the Baltimore plan of enforcing it. He therefore hoped his substi- 
tute would be adopted. 

Mr. Conway explained that his intention was not to recommend the 
Baltimore plan, nor did he think his resolution would bear such a 
construction. It plainly recommended the "principle of limiting the 
number of apprentices," (which was working well in Baltimore,) to 
the adoption of the trade throughout the country. By unanimous 
consent, however, he accepted the amendment proposed by Mr. 
Keyser. 

Mr. Smyth was as much opposed to the resolution as amended as 
to the original one. He thought it would have a bad effect. It was 
necessary to observe caution in our movements, to insure success. 
Let the Unions in the different cities and towns adopt it themselves, 
without drawing public attention so forcibly to it. He was not 
opposed to the principle, but to the expediency of its being publicly 
proclaimed by a National Convention. That was the only question 
before the Convention. All agreed as to its utility and justice ; the 
only question was as to its expediency. 

Mr. Conway agreed that the only question before the Convention 
was one of expediency. All seemed favorable to the limitation of 
apprentices. The only question was as to whether the Convention 
should call the attention of the various Unions to the subject, and to 



JOURNEYMEN PRINTERS OF THE UNITED STATES. || 

urge its adoption upon them. The gentlemen on the . other side 
urged that it should be adopted by the different Unions quietly, 
without exciting public attention to the subject. He thought that 
the adoption of it by the different Unions would excite more attention 
and hostility than the mere recommendation of it, by this Convention. 
But he did not think that we could be injured by any opposition 
which either its adoption or its recommendation might provoke. 
The same objection might be urged to every measure of reform which 
was proposed. If we are going to be regulated in our actions by the 
opinions of the employing class, and those whom they control, we 
might as well go home at once, and submit ourselves entirely to 
established usages. He came here to do something, if possible, 
practically beneficial. Those who sent him here expected something 
to be done. If there were people hostile to this, so were there people 
hostile to the assembling of this Convention, or to the adoption of 
any measures calculated to redeem the trade from the control of the 
capitalist. We are not to consult their selfish views, but our own 
interests, in our actions upon this as well as all other measures. 

Mr. Brown favored the proposition. He thought too many 
printers had been manufactured of late years. New York City 
afforded a miserable proof of this fact. The present system is prolific 
of " rats." Our trade should be purged of this vermin, and made 
respectable throughout. Let apprentices be limited, and journeymen 
would be in demand. The price of labor would be increased, and 
placed in a position which would enable it to compete successfully 
with the power of capital. 

Mr. McDonald made a speech in favor of the adoption of the 
resolution. He gave an account of the apprentice system in New 
York. 

The question being called for, it was taken and the resolution 
adopted. 

Mr. Conway moved to appoint a committee to prepare an Address 
to the Printers of the United States. Adopted. 

The Chair appointed the following gentlemen to constitute the 
committee : Messrs. Conway, Greene, Atkinson, Nafew and Bechtel. 

Mr. Keyser moved that when the Convention adjourns, it adjourn 
to meet this evening at 7 o'clock. 

Mr. McDonald called the attention of the Convention to the 
invitation which was extended on the first night of the session to the 



12 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL CONVENTION OF 

members of the New York and all other Unions to attend the 
deliberations of the Convention, and hoped it would be published. 

Mr. Walsh offered the following preamble and resolution, which 
was laid on the table until this evening: 

Whereas, The system, so universally adopted by the Legislatures of the 
several States, and by the Congress of the Nation, of giving out the printing for 
those several bodies by contract, to the lowest bidder, is repugnant to the spirit 
of republican institutions, inasmuch as its effect is to degrade labor below the 
standard of its merit, by throwing it into market for the competition of men not 
practical printers, who have neither the character nor the interests of the trade 
at heart— as the style of the public printing generally evinces — being in its 
mechanical execution disgraceful not alone to the trade, but to the nation ; and 
whereas, it is our duty not only as Printers, but as Workingmen, to respect- 
fully protest against such a system, unless applied to every branch of the 
machinery of government, other than the elective portion thereof: therefore, 

Resolved, That this Convention recommend to the trade at large to respectfully 
protest, in a formal manner, against the contract system in every branch of public 
work; and that the Executive Committee to be appointed by this Convention be 
requested to urge upon the various Unions some general action upon this subject. 

The Convention then adjourned until this (Wednesday) evening at 
seven o'clock. 



Evening Session ; 7 o'clock, P. M. 

The Convention assembled this evening. 

Mr. Conway offered the following resolution : 

Resolved, That the New York Printers' Union, as well all other Typo- 
graphical Societies in the country having them, be earnestly recommended to 
abolish the so-called benefit systems. 

An interesting debate sprung up on the subject, in which Messrs. 
Keyser, Smyth, Nafew, Glen, Rogers, Molineux, McDonald and 
Young, participated. 

Mr. Nafew offered the following as a substitute : 

Resolved, That it be recommended to all Typographical Trade Associations to 
abolish the so-called benefit system. 

Mr. Conway, by unanimous consent, accepted the substitute as an 
amendment. 

After some further debate on the subject, the question was taken 
on the resolution, as amended, and it was unanimously adopted. 

The resolution offered by Mr. Walsh this morning, respecting the 
contract system, was called up. 



JOURNEYMEN PRINTERS OF THE UNITED STATES. 13 

Mr. Nafew moved that it be laid over until the next meeting, which 
was agreed to. 

Mr. Young offered the following resolution, which was unanimously 
adopted : 

Resolved, That the Employing Printers of the United States are urgently- 
requested to have their apprentices indentured for a period not less than five 
years. 

Mr. Molineux submitted to the Convention a " Regenerative Plan." 
Referred to the Business Committee. 

Mr. Rogers read a letter from the Typographical Association of 
San Francisco, addressed to the New York Union. 

Mr. Conway moved,that when the Convention adjourns, it adjourn 
until to-morrow afternoon at 2 o'clock. Agreed to. 

The Convention then adjourned. 



Thursday, ¥rtrr. oth, 2 o'clock, P. M. 

The Convention met. 

The resolution offered by Mr. Walsh, respecting the contract sys- 
tem, was called up. 

Mr. Young spoke on it. Thought it was a very important matter, 
and should be carefully considered. He hoped Mr. Nafew, who had 
devoted some consideration to the subject, would give his opinions 
on it. 

Mr. Nafew was opposed to it. A great political party in New York 
State divided on the subject, which he thought might make it a 
breach of propriety for the Convention to express an opinion on it. 

Mr. Walsh thought that that was rather a reason why we should 
say something about it. There was a probability of its being abolished, 
and he thought that all the influence which could be brought to bear 
against it should be. 

Mr. Keyser was opposed to the present contract system ; and gave 
some striking instances of its operations upon the producing classes. 
He stated that the most distinguished members of Congress were 
opposed to the system. The day was not far distant when the Printers 
of Washington would make a handsome dividend of what is now dis- 
tributed among political favorites. That day would certainly arrive. 
The system of Public Schools had a tendency to that end. He thought 
that intellect was not now confined to the higher professions. 



H PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL CONVENTION OF 

Mr. Rogers thought that under the contract system the people had 
been robbed, but they had been robbed also under the other system. 
He was in favor of the contract system. That system was as favor- 
able to practical printers as to any body else. They can bid for con- 
tracts as well as others. Let them get up a Joint Stock Company 
and make their bids, and they would be more favored than any other 
bidders. Mr. R. gave an interesting account of the doings of the 
politician-printers of late years. He thought Government was tired 
enough of them. 

Mr. Greene was surprised to hear the gentleman from New York 
favor the contract system. It cannot be anything else than disadvan- 
tageous to the journeymen. It produces competition, and competi- 
tion produces low prices. Whenever the contract is obtained by vir- 
tue of low bids, the journeymen are made to suffer, not the contractor. 

Mr. Conway spoke in favor of the resolution proposed. He was 
not opposed to the contract system, because contracting was essential 
in every department of business, and was not to be objected to ; but 
he was opposed to the auctioning system. He thought it was a botch 
system, paid botch prices, and produced botch work. 

Mr. Rogers would like to hear some better system proposed. He 
was decidedly opposed to the old system of favoritism. 

Mr. Young was opposed to the present contract system. The Go- 
vernment work was not half done since the old system was abolished. 
The printing of Congress has not been fit to be presented to the 
public for the last three years. Such botch work injured our reputa- 
tion. It was an absolute disgrace to our calling. Journeymen Printers 
had a better time and did better work under the old system. 

Mr. Greene moved to strike out, (which was carried,) so as to make 
it read as follows : 

Whereas, The system so universally adopted by the Legislatures of the seve- 
ral States, and by the Congress of the Nation, of giving out the printing for their 
several bodies by contract, to the lowest bidder, is repugnant to the spirit of repub- 
lican institutions, inasmuch as its effect is to degrade labor below the standard 
of its merit, by throwing it into market for the competition of men not practical 
printers, who have neither the character nor the interests of the trade at heart — 
as the style of the public printing generally evinces — being in its mechanical 
execution disgraceful not alone to the trade, but to the nation ; and whereas it is 
our duty not only as Printers, but as Workingmen, to respectfully protest against 
such a system ; 

Resolved, That this Convention recommend to the trade at large to respectfully 



JOURNEYMEN PRINTERS OF THE UNITED STATES. 15 

protest, in a formal manner, against the contract system, in every branch of public 
work; and that the Executive Committee to be appointed by this Convention 
be requested to urge upon the various Unions some general action upon this 
subject. 

The resolutions, as amended, were then adopted. 

Mr. Keyser offered the following, which was unanimously adopted : 

Resolved, That the proposed establishment of a Government Printing Office 
would be subversive of the interest of the trade, and that the same would have 
a tendency to political favoritism ; therefore, we do most solemnly protest against 
the establishment of the same, and hereby recommend to Congress the propriety 
of withholding the public printing from all persons who are not practical 
printers. 

Mr. Walsh submitted the following resolutions : 

Resolved, That the National Executive Committee be directed to take charge 
of the official proceedings of this Convention, prepare them for publication, and 
place them in the hands of the officers of the Philadelphia Printers' Union, to 
be printed. 

Resolved, That the Philadelphia Printers' Union be requested to have them 
printed in pamphlet form, and that they supply all local " Unions" and indi- 
viduals, with any number of copies they may order, at a cost which the Phila- 
delphia Union will regulate. 

Resolved, That it be recommended to the various " Unions" of the United 
States to furnish every newspaper in the State in which they are individually 
located, with a copy of the official proceedings of this Convention, with a 
request that they publish the whole, or an outline of the matter therein con- 
tained. 

Resolved, That the National Executive Committee be empowered and directed 
to call our next National Convention at Baltimore, Md., on the 12th of Septem- 
ber, 1851. 

They were taken up separately and adopted without debate, with 
the exception of the last, which gave rise to some discussion as to the 
time and place of calling the next Convention. It was finally passed, 
however, as reported. 

Mr. Conway, from the Business Committee, reported the following, 
and moved its reference to the next National Convention, which was 
carried : 

Resolved, That the National Executive Committee have power to correspond 
with the several Unions which are or may be established, on the subject of 
joint stock offices, and particularly to ascertain from such Unions if funds can 
be subscribed by the members thereof, in amount sufficient to warrant the esta- 
blishment of a National Union for doing the printing of the United States 
Government. 



16 f PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL CONVENTION. 

Mr. Bechtel offered the following resolution, which was adopted: 

Resolved, That our thanks be extended to the New York Union, for furnish- 
ing the Convention with a Hall and other facilities during- its sittings. 

Mr. Greene offered the following : 

Resolved, That we return our sincere thanks to Mr. J. W. Peregoy, for the 
dignified, faithful and impartial manner in which he has discharged the duties of 
President of this Convention. 

Resolved, That J. T. Nafew, of Albany, is entitled to our thanks for the cor- 
rect and faithful performance of the duties of Secretary of this Convention. 

Mr. Greene explained to the Convention why Cincinnati had not 
sent delegates. Her sympathies were with us, and at the next Con- 
vention her delegates would also be. 

The Chairman announced the following as the 

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: 

New York — T. J. Walsh, Albany ; Edwin H. Rogers, Peter McDonald, New 
York City. 

Pennsylvania — R. B. Smyth, John F. Keyser, W. B. Eckert, Philadelphia. 
New Jersey — Charles Bechtel, John Hartman, William Gillispy, Trenton. 
Maryland — M. F. Conway, Frederick Young, John W. Peregoy, Baltimore. 
Kentucky — George E. Greene, J. L. Gibbons, Raymond Lynch, Louisville. 

Mr. Walsh announced to the Convention that Mr. M. F. Conway, 
of Maryland, had been elected Chairman of the National Executive 
Committee. 

The Convention then adjourned sine die. 



ADDttESS 

TO THE JOURNEYMEN PRINTERS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



For some time past the project of calling together a National 
Convention of Journeymen Printers has met with considerable 
attention and favor from the trade in various portions of the country. 
Aware of this fact, and partaking also in the general desire, the 
Unions of New York, Philadelphia and Boston, about a month since, 
issued a Circular, requesting the different Societies throughout the 
country to send delegates to a National Convention, to be held in 
New York, on Monday, December 2, 1850. In consequence of the 
very short space of time intervening between the receipt of the 
Circular and the meeting of the Convention, but five States have 
sent delegates, viz: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland 
and Kentucky. These delegates met in Convention at the time and 
place specified, and, through their committee, now address you. 

It is useless for us to disguise from ourselves the fact that, under 
the present arrangement of things, there exists a perpetual antagonism 
between Labor and Capital. The Toilers are involuntarily pitted 
against the Employers ; one side striving to sell their labor for as 
much, and the other striving to buy it for as little, as they can. In 
this war of interests, Labor, of itself, stands no chance. The power 
is all on the other side. Every addition to the number of laborers in 
the market decreases their power; while the power of Capital grows 
in a ratio commensurate with the increase of the Capital itself. On 
the one side, the greater the number of dollars, the greater the ability 
to succeed in the conflict ; on the other, the greater the number of 
laborers, the less the ability to succeed. Add to this the fact that 
2 



lft ADDRESS OF THE NATIONAL CONTENTION TO THE 

wealth accumulates, on the one side, much faster as the laborers 
accumulate on the other, and the utter impotency of unorganized 
Labor in a warfare against Capital becomes manifest. 

To remedy the many disastrous grievances arising from this 
disparity of power, combination, for mutual agreement in determining 
rates of wages, and for concert of action in maintaining them, has 
been resorted to in many trades, and principally in our own. Its 
success has abundantly demonstrated its utility. Indeed, while the 
present Wages System continues in operation, as an immediate 
protection from pressing calamities, it is clearly the only effective 
means which Labor can adopt. So far as it extends, it destroys 
competition in the labor market, unites the working people, and 
produces a sort of equilibrium in the power of the conflicting parties. 

This being the case, it appears evident that an extensive 
organization, embracing the whole country, would secure to our 
own, or to any other trade, a power which could be derived from no 
other source. The delegates here assembled have come together 
deeply impressed with this conviction. They regard such an 
organization not only as an agent of immediate relief, but also as 
essential to the ultimate destruction of those unnatural relations at 
present subsisting between the interests of the employing and the 
employed classes. All their actions have accordingly been regulated 
with a view to the establishment of such an organization. They 
have recommended the formation of Societies in all the cities and 
towns throughout the country. They have rendered it obligatory 
upon all members of the profession travelling to any point embraced 
in the representation here, for work, to have with them Certificates 
of Membership from the Society located in the place from which they 
come. They have established a National Executive Committee, to 
urge the enforcement of their recommendations and requirements. 
They have also instructed that committee to use their utmost 
exertions to have a full representation of the whole country in the 
next National Convention, which they have ordered to be held in 
Baltimore, Maryland, on the 12th of next September. 



JOURNEYMEN PRINTERS OF THE UNITED STATES. 19 

The members of the Convention are well aware that, to secure 
the adoption of the measures they recommend, they must recommend 
those alone which are best calculated to effect the immediate well- 
being of the individual members of the trade. The establishment of 
a general organization must be effected upon certain principles. In 
proportion as the advantages of the operation of those principles are 
felt and observed, the establishment of that organization will be 
rendered certain or doubtful. The principles, therefore, recommended 
by the Convention, upon which it urges the formation of Societies 
throughout the country, are such as cannot fail to enlist in their 
favor the most potent considerations of self-interest. Among them 
are — 

First — An understanding in the regulation of Scales of Prices in 
different localities, so that those in one place may not be permitted 
to become so comparatively high as to induce work to be sent 
elsewhere. 

Second — The enforcement of the principle of limiting the number 
of apprentices ; by which measure a too rapid increase in the number 
of workmen, too little care in the selection of boys for the business, 
and the employment of herds of half men at half wages, to the 
detriment of good workmen, will be effectual^ prevented. 

Third — The issuing of Travelling Certificates, by which the 
distresses of brother craftsmen, incurred in journeying from one 
place to another, in search of work, may be relieved. In this we 
have one of those means of attracting and attaching to our Societies 
men who, not troubled largely with abstract principles of strict duty, 
are nevertheless willing to become "repentant prodigals" for the 
sake of the "fatted calf." Beside, it is eminently calculated to 
produce a warmer attachment on the part of superior men, inasmuch 
as it will bind them in the ties of gratitude, and in the luxurious 
fellowship of good deeds. 

Fourth — Measures to prevent disgraced members of the profession 
enjoying, anywhere in the United States, those privileges which belong 



20 ADDRESS OF THE NATIONAL CONVENTION TO THE 

exclusively to honorable printers. They consist in keeping a registry 
of " rats," to be sent by the Executive Committee to every Union in 
the country, for reference ; and admitting to membership no stranger, 
who does not produce evidence of his having been a member in good 
standing of the Society, if any existed, in the place from which he 
comes. 

Fifth — The gradual collection of a sum of money by each Union 
sufficient to enable it to hold out successfully against the employers, 
in the event of a contention for higher wages. 

Sixth — The recognition of the right of a Union to borrow from 
any other, when necessary, a sum of money to the amount of one 
dollar for each member thereof, to be repaid in a manner prescribed. 
This is intended, in conjunction with other measures proposed, to 
strengthen each individual Society in the struggles which it may be 
called on to make, from time to time, against unjust employers. Its 
efficacy needs no explanation. 

Seventh — Measures for the attainment of several other objects of 
less importance, which are calculated to give efficacy to the whole. 

Such has been the main work of the Convention ; and, while the 
members thereof are aware that it is but the commencement of an 
undertaking which, in its full completion, must necessarily be more or 
less protractive, they look with confidence to those who shall follow 
them, in subsequent Conventions, to conduct it to a successful con- 
summation. 

The project of establishing a Joint Stock Office, at Washington 
City, for the purpose of executing the printing of the United States 
Government, was introduced into the Convention ; but its newness, 
as a matter of practical concern, to the great body of Journeymen 
Printers, with the necessity of having a thorough deliberation on so 
important a matter, and the propriety of delegates being elected with 
a special regard to its consideration, prompted its reference to the 
next Convention. The practicability of the working people employ- 



PD 10.4 



JOURNEYMEN PRINTERS OF THE UNITED STATES. 21 

ing themselves, and realizing the profits of their own labor, there can 
be no doubt might be illustrated and established, if the Journeymen 
Printers of the United States would resolve to try the experiment. 
In fact, our Philadelphia brethren have already, to a great extent, 
succeeded in an effort of the kind. A Publishing Establishment has 
been instituted in that city, by the Union there ; and thus far has 
answered the most sanguine expectations of its projectors and friends. 
If a similar concern, on a large scale, could be instituted in Washing- 
ton, a similar result might be reasonably apprehended. The subject 
is, at least, well worthy a full and deliberate consideration ; and may 
be regarded as one of the most important and interesting which will 
engage the attention of the next Convention. 

Combination merely to fix and sustain a Scale of Prices, is of minor 
importance, compared with that combination which looks to an ulti- 
mate redemption of Labor. Scales of Prices, to keep up the value of 
Labor, are only necessary under a system which, in its uninterrupted 
operation, gives to that value a continual downward tendency. But 
when Labor determines to sell itself no longer to speculators, but to 
become its own employer ; to own and enjoy itself and the fruit 
thereof; the necessity for scales of prices will have passed away, and 
Labor will be for ever rescued from the control of the capitalist. It 
will then be free, fruitful, honorable. The shackles of a disastrous 
conventionalism will have fallen from its limbs ; and it will appear in 
the character which nature designed it to sustain. This is certainly 
a consummation most devoutly to be wished; and, however difficult it 
may be to attain, if within the range of possibility, ought to constitute 
the great end to which all our other aims and efforts should be made 
subsidiary. 

The Journeymen Printers of the United States are earnestly in- 
voked, by their brethren here, to employ their most effective endea- 
vors in the prosecution of this work. Its success now rests with 
them ; and it is to be hoped they will feel the full weight of the 



22 ADDRESS OF THE NATIONAL CONVENTION. 

responsibility. We beg them to take into favorable consideration the 
measures we have recommended for their adoption. We beg them to 
assist the National Executive Committee, by every possible means, in 
the fulfilment of its duties. We beg them to circulate the Official 
Proceedings of this Convention, (published in pamphlet form, by the 
Union of Philadelphia,) wherever such circulation will be calculated 
to excite an interest in the movement.- And we beg them, finally, to 
send a full representation to the next Convention, from every section 
of the country. They owe a duty which they are thus called upon 
to discharge, not only to us, who have commenced in this movement 
— not alone to themselves, who are so deeply interested in it — but 
also to the laborers of all trades and vocations, who are anxiously 
awaiting the development of some sure plan of amelioration, which 
they can all adopt. Public opinion places us at the head of the 
mechanical professions. Let us not belie that opinion, by falling 
behind it. Something is expected of us ; and when the next Conven- 
tion assembles, let its numbers and its actions justify and realize the 
public expectation. Let something be evolved, during its delibera- 
tions, which will redound to the benefit of our own trade, and, by 
way of example, to the benefit of all others. 

Respectfully, 

M. F. CONWAY, ) 

GEO. E. GREENE, 

AND. J. ATKINSON, }■ Committee. 

J. T. NAFEW, 

CHAS. BECHTEL, 

By order of the Convention. 

JOHN W. PEREGOY, President. 

Geo. E. Greene, ) 

> Vice Presidents. 
M. C. Brown, S 

F. J. Ottarson, ) 

> Secretaries. 
John Hartman, ) 

New York. Dec. 7, 1850. 



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